PARRY JOB AT RISK
EFL clubs fear chief’s secret talks will scupper bailout
Rick Parry’s job as EFL chairman is under threat amid concerns that his secret negotiations over Project Big Picture could cost the clubs a bailout from the Premier League.
at an EFL board meeting last week, it was revealed that seven clubs could go bust later this month if they do not receive a rescue package from the Premier League.
That bailout has been jeopardised by Parry’s talks with Liverpool and Manchester United over a radical restructure of the top flight.
The Premier League launched a strongly-worded attack on Parry for endorsing proposals they described as ‘damaging’ on sunday. in private, they have been even more scathing.
One Premier League source accused the organisation’s former chief executive of failing to engage seriously in discussions over a bailout, ilout, despite his repeated public blic calls for £250million in financial naid to get the EFL’s 72 2 clubs through the season.
The Premier League put that reluctance down to the fact that Parry was negotiating behind their backs with Liverpool and United. The Premier League e have indicated they are minded ed to provide a short-term bailout ilout for clubs in League One andd League L Two, which could reach £50m in loans, but it is unclear whether they remain willing to deal with Parry. as a result, many clubs are increasingly concerned and are likely to blame Parry if a bailout does not materialise.
Oldham and southend, both in League Two, are among the clubs in imminent danger of going bust, but many others will struggle to pay their players later this month without any external assistance.
after solidarity payments and TV rights fees were advanced by the Premier League and EFL respectively, the clubs had sufficient funds to pay their players at the start of the season, but they were budgeting for fans being able to attend matches in limited numbers from the start of this month.
The return of spectators has been postponed indefinitely in light of rising covid-19 infection rates, so the clubs are effectively operating without income.